Marsx: I'm suffering so badly after cold turkey

[Kristine]

4 minutes ago, Kristine said:

Hey Marsx,  Firstly, Apologies for my late response to you...w/d is a wicked beast and due to insomnia, migraines, fatigue and cognitive difficulties I've been having trouble gathering my thoughts. I can't seem to access my thoughts and ideas in a cohesive manner. It's as if my brain is made of glass and it has been shattered into a thousand pieces. I do know this will eventually improve...if I get frustrated and stressed it just makes everything worse.

 

I have read your thread to the best of my ability and I am so terribly sorry you have suffered such torment at the hands of psychiatry.  Like me you were polydrugged and frequently switched and CTed from many medications.  I've seen from your thread that you have received wonderful solid advice from moderators and members. You have landed in the right place.  The bonus is, you are now becoming more informed and in doing so you can begin to take your like back.  You are in control, no-one else...this is your life.

 

I'm hoping the reinstatment of 5mg of amitriptyline is helping. Just try to give it time...it's early days. I find the most effective non drug technique is simple deep breathing exercises. When I fist open my eyes in the morning is when I first start this type of breathing. It helps. I don't need to tell you what they will do if you go to hospital. The danger is if more drugs are added your brain and nervous system will be destabilised even further. You may feel some relief for a short period of time...but you will risk falling into an even deeper crevasse.  

 

I think I'll also post this on your thread.

 

It might not feel like it now, but you are going to be okay. 

Lovely to meet you Marsx. Much Love K xo

 

 

 

 

 

[Marsx]

On 2018-04-08 at 8:14 PM, Altostrata said:

 

What dosages of lamotrigine did you try?

 

If you're sensitive to sound and light, that could be one factor in your nervous system being in an uproar. Have you put blackout curtains and shades on your bedrooms windows, is your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet? Do you use a sleep mask and earplugs? Do you wear amber glasses when using the computer? All of those cut down on the stimulation of sound and light.

 

You need to work on reducing stimulation of your nervous system. Do you ingest a lot of caffeine?

 

Do you take a bit of melatonin at nightfall? We suggest 0.25mg to start, then turn off all the lights. You need darkness, as absolute as possible, to trigger sleep.

 

All of this, by the way, is described in detail in

 

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

What is the sleep cycle?

 

Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

Light therapy for sleep problems

 

which I've urged you to read several times.

 

Bizarre as it might seem, something like this could help you https://ostrichpillow.com/products/ostrichpillow-original

https://ostrichpillow.com/products/ostrichpillow-light-reversible

 

I've never recommended these to anyone before, but they might be what you need.

 

We won't be able to help you with the depression. If it existed before you went on drugs and is based on past trauma, you will need to see therapy for that. Radical acceptance and Dialectical Behavior Therapy may be what would work best for you.

 

Since you asked about clonidine, it appears you are in the habit of seeking a drug solution. We won't be able to help you with that, either/

I had a psychiatrist put me on lamotrigine to test whether I had bipolar disorder because the antidepressants weren't helping my anxiety. I can't even describe how much pain I'm in at the thought of how many psychiatric medications I have been on. I can't even think about it anymore or I'll just give up. I was on lamotrigine for a few months, I don't remember the dose. The more I think the more I remember. I need to update my signature as I was also put on paxil for 3 or 4 months while I was on the amitriptyline or maybe I came off amitriptyline to try it I can't remember. My anxiety was high at work and my doctor tried paxil probably 3 years ago to date. I remember going up to 40mg and at month 3 or 4 just stopping because it wasnt helping. Then I was put on nardil. As I had read on a website called socialanxietysupport that it was the best med for anxiety. I think I switched from amitriptyline to Seroquel during that time. I was on nardil for a few months then quit cold turkey because the insomnia was too severe. Went back on the amitriptyline. 

 

I've been severely nauseous and had extreme head aches last few days and I'm doing terribly. Every waking moment is painful. 

 

I do have insomnia but having dealt with it for years I don't find it bothersome. Its not what's debilitating me. I've had black out curtains from working night shifts and ive practiced good sleep skills but insomnia was an issue Ive always had so I find acceptance to be the best for it. Its probably hindering my recovery but there's not much I can do. 

 

I do want to understand why it's best to keep the nervous system desensitized. Will it hinder the overall healing in the long run if it is activated? I'm asking because I'm pushing myself to go outside and sit despite the symptoms. I also want to do some sort of job. Doing any type of job in this state will be extremely hard if not impossible, but I need to keep my mind off this. My mind keeps thinking I'm not going to heal. At 14 months I feel worse. I can't forgive myself for going cold turkey. I keep looking for cold turkey success stories and have come across some horrifying stories some years later and I feel like I'm living in a nightmare. If I got a job it might activate my nervous system but it might make the days go by faster? I'm not sure what to do. 

 

Does it make a difference if one takes one antidepressant for 10 years or takes many different ones for short periods over that 10 years? I don't even know why I'm asking, Im completely losing it at this point and can't even read or comprehend much of what's going on.

 

 

[SkyBlue]

54 minutes ago, Marsx said:

I had a psychiatrist put me on lamotrigine to test whether I had bipolar disorder because the antidepressants weren't helping my anxiety. I can't even describe how much pain I'm in at the thought of how many psychiatric medications I have been on. I can't even think about it anymore or I'll just give up. 

 

I've been severely nauseous and had extreme head aches last few days and I'm doing terribly. Every waking moment is painful. 

 

Does it make a difference if one takes one antidepressant for 10 years or takes many different ones for short periods over that 10 years? I don't even know why I'm asking, Im completely losing it at this point and can't even read or comprehend much of what's going on.

 

 

 

Hi Marsx, 

I'm sorry you're feeling so awful. I just found this thread and although someone more knowledgeable will probably be along soon, I wanted to say hi and commend/encourage you for sticking with it and being here in this moment. 

 

You said you don't know why you're asking certain questions, but it seems to me that you're asking because you're in a tremendous amount of pain and wanting 

to understand things better and maybe get some hope. 

 

From reading this site, it seems that it doesn't so much matter whether someone is on one medication or many, in terms of withdrawal, healing, timelines, and symptoms. It's unpredictable. What is true across the board is that people eventually get better. No one knows for sure how long it takes. There are many factors. But the general trend is that people heal.

 

(Just a gentle reminder to re-read some of the posted links above--more information and reminders are always good)

 

I'm not able to check this site very regularly right now, but I just wanted to stop by and send you hope.

[BAT]

How much sleep do you usually get with your insomnia?

[Marsx]

Thank you. I do need to hear that this will eventually get better. Don't know why it doesn't register but I do remind myself everyday waking moment. I read what I can but my concentration is very extremely poor.

 

Last few nights I haven't slept at all due to the anxiety this is all causing. I'm just afraid of not making it out the other end. Not sleeping doesn't actually make my symptoms worse though. 

I was also taking the AP risperadone for 2 months in 2016 when I went to my psychiatrist for anger issues in my relationship. Yup he put me on AP because of relationship problems. I CT them because I had symptoms of lactation and sexual issues but those side effects went away.

 

[Marsx]

Also, im still on 5mg amitriptyline. The tremors are actually going away and I spasm very little now. But I don't think the reinstatement is doing anything. Should I increase? I don't even know why I'm on it. Now I just feel like I reinstated for nothing. 

[Altostrata]

If the tremors are going away, that little bit of amitriptyline might be helping. What effects do you expect from it?

 

Reducing stimulation, including from drugs, settles your nervous system down. Sleep is also healing. If you worked on the night shift, and went on and off drugs repeatedly, that is enough to break your sleep cycle. Please look into re-establishing your sleep cycle.

 

If you read the following link, which I've recommended several times, you would see the dosage of lamotrigine is less than 2mg. It is unlikely your doctor tried such a small dosage.

 

On 4/3/2018 at 10:42 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Please read this carefully One theory of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome

 

Please be aware that this is only an Internet peer support group. All we can do is ask you to read things. Much as we would like to physically visit with you, direct your medical care, and solve all your life problems, we cannot. All we can do is try to empower you to do that, then it's up to you.

[Marsx]

22 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

If the tremors are going away, that little bit of amitriptyline might be helping. What effects do you expect from it?

 

Reducing stimulation, including from drugs, settles your nervous system down. Sleep is also healing. If you worked on the night shift, and went on and off drugs repeatedly, that is enough to break your sleep cycle. Please look into re-establishing your sleep cycle.

 

If you read the following link, which I've recommended several times, you would see the dosage of lamotrigine is less than 2mg. It is unlikely your doctor tried such a small dosage.

 

 

Please be aware that this is only an Internet peer support group. All we can do is ask you to read things. Much as we would like to physically visit with you, direct your medical care, and solve all your life problems, we cannot. All we can do is try to empower you to do that, then it's up to you.

The tremors only came on from reinstatement. They weren't a withdrawal symptom, so it's not doing anything for my withdrawal symptoms. Tremors also go away when I stop the reinstatement as happened before. 

 

My insomnia existed as a child, way before from my job. Again not necessarily a withdrawal symptoms. Im not working anymore anyway. My withdrawal sytmpoms are extreme fatigue and muscle tightness, difficulty focusing, brain fog, sensitivity to lights and sound, nausea.

 

I will have to come off the amitriptyline and ask my doctor for lamotrigine.

[BAT]

I hope you find what works for you and healing happens really soon.

[Altostrata]

24 minutes ago, Marsx said:

I will have to come off the amitriptyline and ask my doctor for lamotrigine.

 

If you do this, you will have to read One theory of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome and Lamictal (lamotrigine) to calm post-discontinuation withdrawal symptoms

very carefully. Your doctor will want to prescribe far more than these articles suggest, probably 25mg to start. Too much lamotrigine doesn't help, it has to be just the right tiny amount to calm the nervous system without triggering a paradoxical reaction.

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Your doctor will want to prescribe far more than these articles suggest, probably 25mg to start.

 

To make it easier here is the information about doses from  Lamictal (lamotrigine) to calm post-discontinuation withdrawal symptoms:

 

"Here are a few tips about using Lamictal that I learned from my doctor. I'm not an expert and I don't know how this would be applied to any particular person:

 

- Dosages are individual, need to be started at very low amounts, and slowly titrated up.

 

- He starts everyone out at 2mg or less. Because I was so hypersensitive, he started me on .5mg. He likes to give a dosage a try for 4 days to see how it works, get beyond initial wooziness, etc."

[Altostrata]

Thanks, Chessie. Marsx will need to read and understand both articles herself.

[Marsx]

Does anyone have a link to buying a proper measuring tube to create liquid doses of medications. Thanks 

[Altostrata]

You can find graduated cylinders on Ebay or Amazon.

[Marsx]

Thank you. I'm wondering if being on amitriptyline for one week has now started me over in this withdrawal. Am I still 14 months in to healing? I still don't feel like giving up on the amitriptyline yet. I might increase to 6mg. Im pretty sure it's causing my heart to beat irregularly and fast but after a few hours that stops. The physical symptoms of the withdrawal are all here. The depression is going away and I'm accepting my symptoms more, but highly doubt the medication is doing that. I don't know.

[Marsx]

I just have one last question that I'm trying to find the answer to but can't find exactly what I'm looking for.

 

I think I've gone from an acute protracted withdrawal phase, which I was in for 13 months, to a more prolonged protracted withdrawal phase. At the beginning my symptoms were very physical in nature. Over the course of this month I've suddenly developed the extreme light and noise sensitivity that I previously didn't have. Is it just the process of healing, or have I gone into a different phase and does length of time in an acute protracted phase any determination in length of time in recovery. I'm sorry if this makes no sense. 

[Marsx]

Im finding it extremely tough to make decisions but I really need to know whether I need to taper off my reinstatement dose if it didn't work. Ive been on it for 1 week and it's not a large dose. I can't find the answer to that. 

 

I know I could updose but I'm too scared to further ruin my recovery at 14 months off. 

[Marsx]

Does anyone have any advice for this please, wondering whether I have to taper off the meds I reinstated or whether i can just stop? 

[powerback]

8 hours ago, Marsx said:

Im finding it extremely tough to make decisions but I really need to know whether I need to taper off my reinstatement dose if it didn't work. Ive been on it for 1 week and it's not a large dose. I can't find the answer to that. 

 

I know I could updose but I'm too scared to further ruin my recovery at 14 months off. 

I cant give advice Marsx but ile give it a bump and hopefully a mod will see.

Don't panic you'll be ok . 

[RachelSusan]

Hi Marsx,

What did you end up doing?

RS

[Altostrata]

On 4/11/2018 at 12:37 PM, Marsx said:

Im pretty sure it's causing my heart to beat irregularly and fast but after a few hours that stops.

 

That is not a good reaction. It indicates the dosage is too strong for you. If you think you want to take amitriptyline, you might try divided doses, 12 hours apart.

 

On 4/11/2018 at 2:21 PM, Marsx said:

Over the course of this month I've suddenly developed the extreme light and noise sensitivity that I previously didn't have.

 

This increase in sensitivity could be because of drug changes. It is not a stage in withdrawal syndrome. 

[BAT]

Hello. What did you decide to do? I hope whatever it is, it works for you.

[Marsx]

On 14/04/2018 at 8:41 PM, BAT said:

Hello. What did you decide to do? I hope whatever it is, it works for you.

I'm taking 1mg of amitriptyline(was on 150mg when I CT) now and it has improved my withdrawal a lot. I'm still having tremors and heart issues but I have no options at this point.

 

Id like to know if anyone else has recovered from this who was poly drugged. My history includes 25+ antidepressants, 4+antipsychotics and benzos. I'm hoping my heart suffers and this ends. I'm sorry to be so bitter especially because it's working and I'm not currently in physical pain. Now I'm mentally tortured by the excruciating withdrawal being masked by the 1mg reinstatement. I can't bear the thought of tapering and I'd like to know if I can stay on it indefinitely. I'm not strong enough to make it through and I'm amazed by the rest of you who are. I'm trying to meditate and practice acceptance but my entire body is shaking constantly in fear. I'm in complete shock. I can live with pain better then the emotions this has all caused. If anyone who is in a similar situation as me and losing hope wants to contact me plz do so. 

[dj2010]

30 minutes ago, Marsx said:

 

 

Id like to know if anyone else has recovered from this who was poly drugged. My history includes 25+ antidepressants, 4+antipsychotics and benzos.

Hi, sorry to hear you are suffering, I was poly drugged for 15 years (anti-psycotics + antidepressants+benzos+beta blockers) done a cold turkey from venlafaxine in 2009 and many rapid tapers, I consider myself almost recovered, I will be surprised if not fully recovered within next 12 months, don't give up hope and stay strong and positive

 

take care

[Marsx]

Thanks Dj2010, your history sounds like mine, although I cold turkey and never tapered. 

 

Was hoping someone who reinstated at a low dose could help me. I'm now very stable on .5ml of amitriptyline, which extremely helps my withdrawal symptoms. However, I'm stuck deciding whether I'm supposed to taper off such a small dose, or do I stay on it indefinitely? I guess no one can answer this question for me, especially because a large part of me thinks the amitriptyline reinstatement is just masking my benzo withdrawal, as it has been doing for  years. Can a 10% taper of .5ml really be done?

 

Would be interested in getting a link to any posts from someone who irregularly took clonazepam for years while on an antidepressant, and the antidepressant was masking the benzo withdrawals. Have not found this yet. 

 

Anyway, I think I may have permanently damaged my CNS. I know this site says that doesn't happen, but when I cold turkeyed off my antidepressant, I continued to take benzos, occasional pain killers and sleeping pills prescribed by my psych to help the withdrawals. Obviously I had no idea what was going on, nor did I research it. So could the fact that I took several pharmaceuticals while my nervous system was already destabilized mean that I am permanently damaged? During my 14 month withdrawal, I didn't seem to have any patters of windows and waves. Things just progressively got worse. 

 

Reinstatement has been a blessing In disguise. I want to stay on the .5ml indefinitely, but I worry about a poop out. I still have trouble focusing and concentrating, and light/sound sensitively, but not nearly as bad as off the drug. I want to discontinue and sort of wish I never reinstated. But I'm completely terrified of continuous withdrawal. I also wonder if ill ever be able to reinstate again if I get off now. Can someone please give me advice, at this point, I've told myself if I can have one year with my family, that'll be enough. But after that I'm not willing to go through withdrawal hell indefinitely. 

[Marsx]

Does anyone know of support groups in the Toronto area for protracted withdrawal. 

[Marsx]

I know everyone means well and is helping but it's extremely upsetting that this website gave me information about reinstating. I was off for 14 months and decided to do so after reading this website. I know it was my decision but now I believe I've further set back my recovery. Nobody can tell you what to do once you've reinstated. My CNS is already sensitized and ive been able to reinstate a very small amount. But what next? I'm terrified of the withdrawal and I'm moving no where in my recovery. I'm depending on the drug to mask my symptoms which will be even worse once I go off or it poops out. There's no way to taper off .5ml. 

I'd not recommend reinstating this late. It may provide relief of symptoms but the terror of withdrawal is still there and I'm stuck in a dark hole. Nobody knows what reinstating on an already sensitized nervous system does to throw your recovery back. I've been on and off so many medications and I'm continuing the pattern. I'm just done. 

[coldturkmama]

1 hour ago, Marsx said:

I know everyone means well and is helping but it's extremely upsetting that this website gave me information about reinstating. I was off for 14 months and decided to do so after reading this website. I know it was my decision but now I believe I've further set back my recovery. Nobody can tell you what to do once you've reinstated. My CNS is already sensitized and ive been able to reinstate a very small amount. But what next? I'm terrified of the withdrawal and I'm moving no where in my recovery. I'm depending on the drug to mask my symptoms which will be even worse once I go off or it poops out. There's no way to taper off .5ml. 

I'd not recommend reinstating this late. It may provide relief of symptoms but the terror of withdrawal is still there and I'm stuck in a dark hole. Nobody knows what reinstating on an already sensitized nervous system does to throw your recovery back. I've been on and off so many medications and I'm continuing the pattern. I'm just done. 

 

 

Flip side, because of this website I didn’t reinstate. I was about 4 or 5 months out and everyone here told me it was a risky move.   It’s a tough decision and I’ve seen people go back to meds even 2-3 years out. I hope your symptoms quiet down soon. 

[BAT]

Has your symptoms gotten worse since you reinstated?

Have you had any relief since reinstatement?

I'm sorry your still feeling bad. 

[Altostrata]

3 hours ago, Marsx said:

I know everyone means well and is helping but it's extremely upsetting that this website gave me information about reinstating. I was off for 14 months and decided to do so after reading this website. I know it was my decision but now I believe I've further set back my recovery. Nobody can tell you what to do once you've reinstated. My CNS is already sensitized and ive been able to reinstate a very small amount. But what next? I'm terrified of the withdrawal and I'm moving no where in my recovery. I'm depending on the drug to mask my symptoms which will be even worse once I go off or it poops out. There's no way to taper off .5ml. 

I'd not recommend reinstating this late. It may provide relief of symptoms but the terror of withdrawal is still there and I'm stuck in a dark hole. Nobody knows what reinstating on an already sensitized nervous system does to throw your recovery back. I've been on and off so many medications and I'm continuing the pattern. I'm just done. 

 

Marsx, I find this recent post by you to be very disturbing. You've gotten a great deal of advice about reinstating (see below), including a caution to start very low -- which you did not heed.

 

On top of that, you have stated you are feeling the benefit of the 0.5mg amitriptyline on which you finally settled.

 

You are blaming us for a failure that is not our failure. You also seem to be indignant that your posts are not immediately answered. You are showing vast ingratitude for the time and attention you've gotten here from compassionate volunteers.

 

This is a peer support Web site, not a staff of caretakers. We can't fix your history or your current predicament. We do the best we can. Do not continue on your current path of blaming and ingratitude, we will not continue to support you. If I were you, I'd get serious about radical acceptance therapy immediately.

 

On 4/3/2018 at 10:42 AM, Altostrata said:

Welcome, Marsx.

 

I am so sorry you're going through this. What we see is that going on and off psychiatric drugs is wearing on the nervous system, which becomes very sensitive to all kinds of stimuli, drugs, supplements, and sometimes even foods.

 

Do you find you're sensitive to light or sound?

 

The poop-outs you've experienced sound like paradoxical reactions from a sensitized nervous system. When the nervous system feels like it's being pressed down too much by drugs, it can react in a paradoxical way: It is activated. Too high a dose can cause the opposite effect of what's intended.

 

If 4mg amitriptyline causes tremors, try 1mg. Yes, we do see sometimes that people are so sensitive, a reinstatement of 1mg or even less is all they can tolerate. 1mg might even be effective for sleep.

....

Radical acceptance therapy may help you cope with your life situation, reducing anxiety that may be adding to the insomnia. Also see

 

Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system
 
Mindfulness and Acceptance

 

3

 

On 4/3/2018 at 2:19 PM, ChessieCat said:

Because you are having difficulty focusing and concentrating I thought that it may be helpful to extract this information from the above post:

 

"If 4mg amitriptyline causes tremors, try 1mg. Yes, we do see sometimes that people are so sensitive, a reinstatement of 1mg or even less is all they can tolerate. 1mg might even be effective for sleep."

 

 

On 4/7/2018 at 10:27 AM, Altostrata said:

Did you read One theory of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome ?

 

What we see is that going on and off psychiatric drugs is wearing on the nervous system and it becomes sensitized. This can make many problems, such as a tendency to insomnia, worse.

 

The nervous system becomes intolerant of many drugs, supplements, and even foods. It becomes prone to paradoxical reactions, such as panic and anxiety when taking benzodiazepines. Most doctors attempt to treat this by loading on the drugs -- almost certainly, this will be what will happen in a hospital -- which causes the nervous system to activate even more. 

 

What your nervous system needs is calming by very gentle, subtle means, not large doses of multiple drugs. It will slowly settle down. This can take a great deal of patience and fortitude. Unfortunately, no one else can provide this for you but you.

 

Please read One theory of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome .   This is my fourth reminder.

 

 

On 4/10/2018 at 11:46 AM, Altostrata said:

If the tremors are going away, that little bit of amitriptyline might be helping. What effects do you expect from it?

 

Reducing stimulation, including from drugs, settles your nervous system down. Sleep is also healing. If you worked on the night shift, and went on and off drugs repeatedly, that is enough to break your sleep cycle. Please look into re-establishing your sleep cycle.

 

If you read the following link, which I've recommended several times, you would see the dosage of lamotrigine is less than 2mg. It is unlikely your doctor tried such a small dosage.

 

 

Please be aware that this is only an Internet peer support group. All we can do is ask you to read things. Much as we would like to physically visit with you, direct your medical care, and solve all your life problems, we cannot. All we can do is try to empower you to do that, then it's up to you.

 

 

As has been explained to you, the tiny reinstatement of 0.5mg amitriptyline helps stabilize your nervous system. This is a little crutch that will work over time. You need to be patient. Withdrawal symptoms will very gradually go away, in a frustrating pattern of waves and windows. You may need to stay on 0.5mg amitriptyline for months and cope with whatever waves you get. We can't fix that. We don't do magic here. It's the natural course of healing.

 

When the time comes to go off 0.5mg amitriptyline, you would taper off by even tinier amounts using a liquid. Other people have done this, you can, too.

[Marsx]

I'm sorry. I'm not angry at any of you I'm angry at myself and the lack of support by my doctor's. I am grateful for you guys, I won't post a message like that again. Please forgive me, i'm just a complete mess.

[Altostrata]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

If I were you, I'd get serious about radical acceptance therapy immediately.

 

^Read this. I'm not inclined to fall for cycles of bad behavior, excuses, and apologies.

[coldturkmama]

1 hour ago, Marsx said:

I'm sorry. I'm not angry at any of you I'm angry at myself and the lack of support by my doctor's. I am grateful for you guys, I won't post a message like that again. Please forgive me, i'm just a complete mess.

 

I completely understand. Don’t worry, most people here won’t hold a grudge.  What you are going through is extremely difficult. 

[Marsx]

I swear this is never ending. I'm now getting Akathisia. I haven't made any changes. Only thing I did was take an epsom salt bath. I did feel it slightly when I reinstated my antidepressant and thought at a low dose it would be fine but I do think it's the amitriptyline reinstatement. Its very uncomfortable and I'm too scared to even take another dose of amitriptyline. Should I CT it again or taper? Anyone know how I can prevent it from getting worse? 

[Shep]

Marsx, I moved your latest post from your benzo thread to your main intro thread and am also answering your PM here. Please post your antidepressant questions in your main intro thread (your benzo thread is for benzo-related questions).

 

Akathisia is very common, as both a side effect and a withdrawal effect of both benzos and antidepressants.

 

Akathisia vs restlessness, anxiety, agitation

 

Alto mentioned dividing your AD dose up in this post. I followed up by asking if you'd tried that over in your benzo thread in this post.

 

But you've never responded to either of us to let us know if this is an option for you. If the akathisia and or other symptoms are a side effect, it could help to divide the dose.

 

If you decide to do this, you would divide the dose by moving it one hour a day, which is gentlest for your nervous system.

 

On 4/27/2018 at 6:55 AM, Shep said:

When did the "crushing muscle pain" start? It looked like you had some days of feeling better. Do you have a timeline that might help determine?

 

On 4/27/2018 at 6:55 AM, Shep said:

How many hours of sleep are you getting?

 

I've asked the above questions over on your benzo thread which you never answered. This is making it very hard to give you tapering advice.

 

In order for us to give you tapering advice, please post a daily symptoms and drug journal using this format:

 

Symptoms and drug journal format

 

Please also read this:

 

What do you mean by self-manage?

[Marsx]

Thank you. Wasnt able to sleep as the Akathisia was really bad. I'm less worried about my other symptoms right now as this one takes the cake. I think staying on the amitriptyline is making it worse so I want to come off but not sure if it's better to stop cold turkey to avoid Akathisia or taper. 

I can divide up the dose, but the Akathisia is all day. It wasn't as prominent as it is now as I think the medicine was building up in my body. 

I've read the Akathisia thread, but still not sure how to prevent it from getting worse. Maybe if I divide the amitriptyline up into 3 doses a day, and slowly taper off?

 

Short timeline:

March 28- last dose of Klonopin

April 5th- started amitriptyline, had to lower to .5ml. Felt better but inner restlessness/Akathisia started

April 16ish- muscle pain started 

April 20 - muscle pain getting worse

April 27 - took 4.75ml of meds, cutting down from 5ml and kept it at 4.75

April 29 - Severe akathisia

 

So it looks to me as it's both a side effect as if came when I started the med, and a withdrawal effect, as I did cut down a bit. I don't want the 

Akathisia to become permanent. I have a history of Seroquel as well and TD symptoms flaring up. I just don't know how to taper without making the symptoms worse.